C5+1 CRITICAL MINERALS DIALOGUE HELD IN ASTANA

THE C5+1 CRITICAL MINERALS DIALOGUE WAS HELD IN ASTANA UNDER THE CO-CHAIRMANSHIP OF YERSAYIN NAGASPAYEV, MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN, AND SERGIO GOR, SPECIAL ENVOY OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA. THE EVENT TOOK PLACE AHEAD OF THE 16TH INTERNATIONAL MINING AND METALLURGICAL CONGRESS ASTANA MINING & METALLURGY (AMM 2026).

The Dialogue brought together government representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Participants discussed priority areas of cooperation between the Central Asian countries and the United States in geological exploration, mineral extraction and processing, as well as the supply of critical minerals to global markets.

“President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has repeatedly emphasized the important role of the C5+1 platform as a new format for cooperation between Central Asia and the United States. The C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue is aimed at strengthening collaboration in securing sustainable supplies of strategic raw materials, advancing technological cooperation, and developing reliable global supply chains. Given the growing global demand for critical minerals, these areas are becoming increasingly important”, said Yersayin Nagaspayev.

The Minister noted that the critical minerals sector is one of Kazakhstan’s key priorities in industrial policy and long-term economic development. Today, the country’s mineral resource base includes more than 9,500 deposits, over 100 of which contain reserves of rare and rare earth metals. Measures implemented to promote digitalization and the adoption of international standards have significantly increased investment in the sector. As a result, leading global companies have entered the Kazakh market, including Rio Tinto, Barrick Gold, First Quantum, Ivanhoe, Teck, Fortescue, Cove Capital, and others.

Participants identified the main areas for long-term cooperation within the C5+1 framework. These include the development of high-tech processing industries, the establishment of industrial clusters, technology transfer, workforce development, the expansion of scientific and technical cooperation, and other joint initiatives. Particular attention was also paid to cooperation in logistics to ensure reliable and sustainable supply of products to international markets.

At the conclusion of the meeting, all parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding multilateral cooperation and implementing joint industrial and infrastructure projects.